Fire-escape



(No Model.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 1. J. H. EARLBS. FIRE ESCAPE.

Patented Aug. 12, 1890.

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; i E I 3 I I l s2 ATTORNEY m: nonms PETERS m, muYo-Lmm, wnsnmcn'ou, n, c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN H. EARLES, OF DENVER, COLORADO.

FIRE-ESCAPE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 434,416, dated. August 12, 1890.

Application filed May 6, 1390. Serial No. 350,799. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that LJOHN H. EARLEs,a citizen of the United States, residing at Denver, in the county of Arapahoe and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fire -Escapes; and I do de'clare'the following to be a full, clear,-

and exact description of the invention, such as willenable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference beinghad to the accompanyingdrawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in fire-escapes; and its object is to provide a safe, reliable, and automatic means of escape from a burning .building after the ordinary means of exit therefrom have been cut off, said device being comparatively simple in construction, economical in cost, easily operated, effective in action, durable in use, and not liable to get out of repair, being constructed entirely of metal and in. such manner that the weight of the person descending thereon operates the mechanism.

To these ends my invention consists of the features, arrangements, and combinations hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings is illustrated an embodiment of the invention, in which Figure l is a front elevation of myimproved fire-escape. Figs. 2 and 3 are front and sideviews, respectively, of a portion of an endless chain forming part of the mechanism Fig. 4.- is a side view of a support secured to the endless chain. Figs. 5 and 6 are a side and top view, respectively, of means of securing this support to the endless chain. Fig. 7 is a perspective view in detail, very much enlarged, of several sections of a metal cage forming part of the mechanism and when in position secured to the endless chain. The cage is shown in this figure with the front part removed, this part being illustrated in Fig. 8, which is a front view of the same. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of asingle section of the metal cage. Fig. 10 illustrates the means of securing the metal cage to the endless chains. The mechanism shown -in this figure was broken away from the lower lefthand corner of Fig. 7 for lack of space. Fig. 11 is a front elevation, on an enlarged scale, of one side of the upper portion of the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 1. Fig. 12 is a section taken on the line w 00, Fig. 11,looking toward the left. Fig. 13 is a side view of one of the flanged wheels over which pass the endless chains. This view is a section taken on the line a: so through the upper shaft of the mechanism shown in Figs. 11 and 12, looking toward the right, the view being partially broken away on the side next to Fig.

'12 on account of lack of space.

In the views the same reference numerals and letters designate corresponding parts of the mechanism. Bearing this in mind, let the numeral 1 indicate a horizontal beam connecting the upper extremities of the two upright beams 2 2, these last-named beams being secured to the outer ends of the outwardly-pro-' jecting horizontal beamsA B C. These beams 1 2 A B 0 form the supporting frame-work of my improved fire-escape and should be properly secured to the top or upper portion of the building or structure to which the escape is to be attached. Suitably journaled within beams A of this frame-work is a shaft 3, upon which are mounted and rigidly secured the gear or cog wheels 5 5, the brake-wheels 7 7, and the chain-wheels 4: 4. 'As shown in the drawings, the wheels 5 are the outer wheels on the shaft, one being located near each extremity thereof. The brake-wheels are contiguous to wheels 5, while the chainwheels are between the two brake-wheels. These chain-wheels are located on the shaft any desired distance apart. Their peripher ies are grooved so as to form a double flange on each wheel, the flanges being provided with notches or recesses 70. Engaging each brake-wheel 7 and suitably fashioned to fit its periphery is a brake-block 9. These blocks have their inner extremities pivoted at D to a suitable stationary support. A brake-arm 11 is secured at its inner extremity t0 the brake-block, its outer extremity projecting beyond the block and being connected with the upper extremity of a depending rod 81.

The numeral 12 designates a second shaft having its extremities suitably journaled within beamsB 2. Upon shaft12 are mounted and rigidly secured the gear or cog wheels 6, meshing with wheels 5, which are located directly above them. Mounted also upon shaft 12 and rigidly secured thereto are the two escapement-wheels S 8, located close to the gearwheels on the same shaft.

Projecting from beam 0, directly beneath shafts 3 and 12 and on each side of the frame, is an arm 15, to the top of which is secured the box 16, within which is journaled one end of the short shaft E, the other end of said shaft being rigidly secured to or formed integral with a suitable escapement 13. These escapements engage the cog-wheels 8, which are located directly above them. To each escapement is suitably secured the depending arm 17, to the lower extremity of which is attached the hammer or knocker 18.

69 is a box secured to each standard 2 near its lower extremity. Having their extremities suitably journaled within the sides of each of these boxes are two rollers 20 and 20, located at opposite diagonal corners of the box, as shown in Fig. 12, the upper roller 20 being located in the rear. \Vithin box 69, between rollers 20 and 20', is located the movable curvilinear wedge or lever 21, which is concave on its upper surface, convex on its lower surface, its inner extremity being provided with a head and its outer extremity with a hook F. To head 80 is secured the lower extremities of rod 81. \Vedge or lever 21 is so located with reference to hammer 18 that when said hammer is in motion it shall engage the head 80 of the wedge and force the same forward between the rollers. This movement of the lever depresses its head and elevates its opposite extremity by virtue of its shape and the location of the engaging rollers heretofore described. This part 21 may be considered a lever of the first class with the weight attached to the head and drawn downward, rollers 20' forming the fulcrum and roller 20 acting as the power when the part is forced forward by the action of the escapemcut-hammer, since roller 20 then in effect raises the end beneath which it is located and depresses the opposite or head end by virtue of the location of roller 20. As the head 80 moves downward, itincreases the friction between the brake-block and its corresponding wheel by virtue of the connection formed by red 81.

The numeral 10 designates a second brakearm secured to the brake-block above arm 1 1 separate therefrom and operating independently thereof. To the upper surface of the outer portion of arm 10 is secured one extremity of a spiral spring 14:, the opposite extremity of said spring being made fast to beam 1 of the frame.

To the outer extremity of brake-arm 10 is secured a chain or its equivalent 82. The lower extremity of this chain is made fast to a drum I-I, journaled in standards I and operated by a suitable crank J. This crank is supposed to be located within easy reach of a person standing upon the ground and is only intended for use in case the knocker acting on the curvilinear wedge or lever should become inoperative or for any reason fail to sufliciently check the operation of the mechanism whose action itis design ed to control; hence the function of arm 10 and its connections, which may be termed the auxiliary brake mechanism. It will be observed that the function of spring 14: is to raise the brake-arm 11 to its normal position as soon as the power ceases to act on chain 82.

It now remains to describe the escape mechanism proper or the direct means of descending from a building provided with my improvement. The description heretofore has been confined to the means for supporting, operating, and controlling this escape mechanism, which will now receive attention.

Supported above and passing over each of the flanged wheels t is an endless chain 22, of sufficient length to reach to a drum 3S, journaled within standards l0 andprovided with outer rims or flanges 89, to prevent the chains from slipping over the ends of the drum or meeting with any impediment which might have a tendency to retard or interfere with their perfect operation. Drum 38 is supported within a safe distance of terra firma. The structure of chains 22 is distinctly shown in Figs. 2 and 3, said chain being formed of solid links etl and open links 42 alternating with each other. Each solid linkis centrally provided with an aperture, through which passes the pin or headless bolt 44, which is threaded and held in position by a nut 43 or equivalent means on each side of the link. Pins 44: are of such length that their outer portions engage the notches or recesses 70 formed in the rims or flanges of the chainwheels 4:. This engagement ofpins 44: with re cesses 70 prevents the chains from slipping upon the wheels and insures corresponding action of all parts of the adjacent mechanism. As the chains pass over the wheels 4, the edges of the solidv links enter the grooves between the recessed flanges. To chains 22 are secured two forms of support for persons desiring to use my improved fire-escape. One of these may be designated as a closed cage L and the other as the skeleton-sup 'iort M. This support M consists of a horizontal frame 28, whose side bars are pivoted to clasps 45, secured to the solid links of the chains. This frame is covered by the metal plate 27, which is of suliicient length and area to afford a person suitable standing-room therein while descending from the building. To the outer portion of the frame 28 are secured the lower extremities of the chains 24, the upper extremities 22 of the chains being made fast to the bar 25, provided with right-angular extensions =l6, which are made fast by rivets 47 to the clasps 15, secured to chains 22, as aforesaid. 26 is a bar located near platform 27 and having its extremities suitably secured to the chains 22. This bar is designed to afford an additional security from falling to a person standing upon the platform. 1

The body of the cage L is composed of sections 3%, having a rear portion pivoted to the chains 22, and two right-angular forward ex-' tensions, forming the sides of the cage. Across the outer surface of the rear portion of each section 34 is secured a bar 57, provided with the lugs or ears 0, which are pivoted at 56 to a bar 55, the opposite extremity of said link being secured to a link 41 of the chain 22. Each section of this cage is pivoted separately to the chains 22 and is separate and distinct from each other section, rendering the same perfectly flexible, so that it will readily and without difficulty pass over the chain-wheels 4, shaping itself to their peripheries. The bottom of the cage is composed of a frame consisting of the two side bars 54 and the connecting cross-bars 50 and 51. To the under side of this frame is secured the sheetmetal covering R, which is continuous with the lower section 31-. The upper side of the frame is provided with the sheet-metal covering 59. The lower edge of the rear portion of each section is turned upward into a roll at 61 in order that it may readily pass over the chain-wheels l. The entire side portions and the narrow strips S of the rear portion of each section overlap and project within the walls of the section next below it. The body of the cage is supported by means of chains 33, secured at one extremity to bar 50, the opposite ends mergingabovc into a single chain 31, which is secured at the top to a bar 29, having its extremities suitably secured to chains 22. The front portion of the cage is composed of a series of plates 35, each overlapping the other and each independently and loosely secured to a pair of chains 36 by means of bolts (33, passing through apertures in the plates and links of the chains, each bolt being secured by means of a suitable nut. The lower extremities of chains 36 are secured at 53 to bars 50 of the body of the cage by means of suitable bolts. The upper extremities of chains 36 are secured to spiral springs 32, which in turn are made fast at their upper extremities to the chain 31. The top plate 35 of the series forming the front portion of the cage is turned into a roll at 62 to give a smooth finish to this portion of the top of the cage.

In the use of my improved device a person wishing to descend thereon steps upon platform 27 of skeleton-support M or into cage L. In order to enter cage L, the front portion is drawn outward sufficiently for the purpose by means of the elasticity of the spiral springs 32. In either case the weight of the person upon the chains sets shaft 3 in motion, which in turn starts shaft 12 and the eseapementwheels 8, thence communicating a vibratory movement to hammers 18, each of which acts upon the curvilinear wedge or lever 21 and automatically applies the brakes, to the end that the descent of the person or persons upon the escape may not be too rapid.

As heretofore explained, the auxiliary brake mechanism may be brought into requisition whenever the same is deemed desirable or necessary. 7

It must be understood that the chains 22 may be provided with as many cages L or skeleton-supports M, either or both, as may be desirable, the number of 'th ese supporting devices-depending,of course,upon the height of the building and the length of the chains.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. In a fire-escape, the endless chains 22, a frame, a shaft 3, suitably journaled therein and provided with wheels over which said chains pass, brake-wheel 7, -mounted upon shaft 3, suitable brake-blocks engaging wheels '7, a brake-arm 11,- a curvilinear wedge or lever 21, operating in a suitable box between two rollers, one above and the other below it,

a rod connecting the brake-arm with the wedge, and a hammer connected with an escapement to which motion is communicated from shaft 3 by means of suitable connec tions, each forward movement of the hammer forcing the wedge between the rollers and increasing the friction between the brake-block and its corresponding wheel, substantially as described.

2. In a fire-escape, endless chains mounted upon suitable wheels supported upon ashaft 3, suitable supports secured to the chains in such a manner that a person upon one of the supports will give movement to the shaft,an escapement 13, suitablypivoted and provided with a depending hammer, means of communicating motion fromshaft 3 to the escapement and giving a vibratory movement to the hammer, a brake-wheel upon shaft 3, a brake- I block acting upon said wheel,and a curvilinear wedge 0r lever operating in a box between rollers, said wedge or lever being connected with the brake-block and so located that at each movement of the hammer it shall engage the head of the wedge and tighten the'brakeblock upon its wheel, substantially as described.

3. In a fire-escape, the endless chain 22, suitably supported and provided with one or more cages L, composed of the independent sheetmetal sections 34, each pivoted directly to the chains and so mounted as to form a cage closed on three sides, the bottom of said cage being provided with suitable supportingchains 33, connected with the main chains above, substantially as described.

4. In a fire escape, the endless chains 22, suitably supported upon wheels mounted upon a shaft 3, one or more cages L, composed of the independent sheet-metal sections 34, each pivoted to the main chains and overlapping each other so as to forma closed cage on three sides, chains 33, connecting the bottom of the cage with chains 22, and a front portion conpins adapted to engage the notches in wheels 4, suitable means secured to chains 22 and adapted to support a person therein, and suitable brake mechanism, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aliix in y signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN H. EARLES.

Witnesses:

ISHAM R. IIOWZE, WM. McCoNNELL. 

